Broomfield seniors still say its (softball) game on

League looking for players now; practices start in March, season in April

PLAYING ON: Mike Scott-Burke pitches batting practice during senior softball practice last April. Broomfield is likely to field six senior teams this season and is looking for more players to join in the league, which starts practice next month and play in April. (CLIFF GRASSMICK / Boulder Daily Camera)

Want to play?

Broomfield senior softball practices are at 10 a.m. Mondays at the Community Park ball fields. Practice is officially slated to start March 25, although Bob Morgenstern said right now the plan is to practice on any Monday on which the weather allows.

The season starts April 24 and two-game matches start at 9 a.m. Wednesdays.

Broomfield teams are looking for more players. If you're interested, call Morgenstern at 303-469-1314 or Robin Garneau at 303-464-5504.

In an ironic twist of fate, Bob Morgenstern was talking softball on one of Broomfield's most recent snowy afternoons.

No matter, he's ready to play and is looking for a few spry seniors who are, too. And though it was snowing Thursday, if its warm enough and dry enough on Monday, he and others will be at the fields at Community Park preparing for the season.

Morgenstern, 75, is a mainstay in Broomfield's senior softball league. He's the manager of the Screaming Eagles and a lifelong ball player. He just can't seem to quit the game he's played nearly as long as he can remember.

How bad is his softball habit?

When asked when he starts itching for his next game, he answered "about this time of year."

His wife, Roz, however, gave the real answer.

"After the last game," she chimed in from the couch of their Westlake home.

And he's not alone. There's enough love of the game among Broomfield's over-50 set that the city is likely to field six teams in the Colorado Senior Softball Association league — four in the 50 and older division and one each in 70 and older and 75 and older. That's up from just two teams in the 50s league last year.

But to get six teams on the diamonds, more players are needed, said Morgenstern and Broomfield Recreation Services athletics program manager Robin Garneau.

Garneau, who is thrilled it looks like the 50-and-older league will double in size this year, isn't surprised by the interest.

"More and more it seems like the seniors get younger and younger," she said.

Elnicki, who plays on the Broomfield Dairy Queen team in the 50s league, has been in the senior league for 13 years now.

"I love playing ball he said, I love the camaraderie of everybody," said Elnicki who plays Wednesdays in the 50s with the Dairy Queen squad and Mondays in the 70s league. "I would play year-round, weather permitting."

Morgenstern would, too.

But given this is Colorado, they've learned to make due in a spring/summer season. And they hope there are many others, who, like them, can't get enough of the game.

Right now, they and Garneau are putting out the call for players — men and women — to fill out the rosters on this year's teams. To those who might not have played in 10, 15 or more years, Morgenstern said don't fret, all abilities are welcome. And, Elnicki said, there have been players who have returned to the field after longer absences than that.

And there are a few modifications to the senior game that make collisions less likely — players run to a safety bag at first, and to a line drawn at an angle to home plate rather than the plate itself.

That home plate modification, by the way, is perhaps the hardest to get used to. Morgenstern said players new to the league will run to the plate two or three times before they learn the lesson. It helps, he said, when the third base coach gives a friendly reminder when the runner rounds.

The 50s league is structured in levels, with E being the lowest, then D2 a step up from there, then up to D1, C2, C1 and B. The goal is for at least two of this year's Broomfield teams to be D2 squads, with one likely taking the field as D1.

Practices, which are Monday mornings, are slated to start March 25, although Morgenstern said right now the plan is any Monday on which the weather allows, they'll head out to Community Park to get in some swings and shag some balls.

Play starts April 24 and in the 50s league it consists of 28 two-game matches in a season split into two halves. Games are played Wednesday mornings, starting at 9 a.m. and running until they're done. Home field is Community Park, but the teams also travel across the region to play other Colorado Senior Softball Association squads. No word yet on if the season opener will be home or away.

And while it might seem there's plenty of time to sort out how many teams and how many players there are, the clock is ticking. Garneau has to turn in registration to the Colorado Senior Softball Association by March 19.

With a month to go, now is the time for new players to join in.

"I want to stress this is for all levels," Morgenstern said.

For those on the fence about whether they're up for a return to the diamond, he said come out and give it a try. Elnicki echoed that call to just try it, see if you like it.

There are no prerequisites to join in. Well, maybe one.

"Most guys love the game," Morgenstern said. "We play for the love of the game. At our age, what else are you going to play for?"

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